Electrode

ABSTRACT

An electrode lead for a medical implant, such as a pacemaker, has a proximal end for connection to the implant and a distal end opposite thereto having an electrode and fixation structure for holding the distal end in place relative to surrounding tissue. A distal end part at the distal end has a tape ring shape, in the form of a truncated cone, and the fixation structure forms a helical thread around the distal end part. The height of the thread is such that the crest of the thread is located within an imaginary, second truncated cone that is coaxial with the distal end part. The crest of the thread is located within an imaginary cylinder that is coaxial with the cylindrical lead body and which has the same diameter as the lead body, this imaginary cylinder intersecting the imaginary, second truncated cone.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode lead for an active implant, more particularly to a lead with electrodes for a pacemaker or similar, in accordance with the preamble of the main claim.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Modern pacemakers systems generally comprise an implantable pulse generator and one or several electrode leads connected to the pulse generator at the proximal end of the lead(s). The distal ends of the leads are provided with electrodes for electrical contact with the myocardium.

[0003] The pulse generator normally is implanted under the skin close to the shoulder of the patient and the leads are advanced through the subclavian vein and the vena cava for instance into the right atrium and/or the right ventricle of the heart. In order to hold the lead in place and to ensure that some or all electrodes on the lead are in contact with the myocardium, the distal end of the lead may be provided with tines or similar extending outwardly from the lead as for instance disclosed in WO 98/20933. The tines or threads are for instance intended to engage the trabeculae in the apex of the ventricle.

[0004] There are several designs for facilitating the removal of leads provided with tines. One design is for instance disclosed in WO 98/20933 that shows a design in which the tines are designed so as to be detachable from the lead and remain attached to the trabeculae.

[0005] In other designs for attachment means for the distal end of the lead, the lead is provided with a helical thread extending laterally and outwardly from the lead, as for instance disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,737. The function of this design is generally similar to the function of the above design having tines as far as the function is concerned. The idea behind this design is to facilitate the insertion of the lead, particularly into the trabeculae. Retraction or explantation of the leads or any problems associated therewith is however not discussed.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,884 discloses a similar design to the one disclosed in the above '737 patent. This design also is provided with an external, helical thread on the outside of the lead. One embodiment thereof is designed with a helical, circumferential groove on the cylindrical outer periphery of the lead. In similarity with the embodiment with the external thread, the groove is intended to facilitate the introduction of the lead into the veins and preferably is to be rotated during insertion by means of a motor. Again, retraction or explantation of the lead is not discussed.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a lead with anchoring or fixation means that are simple in design and simple in use during both implantation and explantation.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

[0008] This problem is solved in that a lead according to the preamble of the main claim is designed in accordance with the characterizing part of the main claim.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention,

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention,

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a variation of the embodiment in FIG. 2,

[0013]FIG. 4 relates to another embodiment of the invention,

[0014]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] In the description below relating to the different drawings, parts that have the same function throughout all drawings will have the same reference signs. For instance, the silicon sleeve on the lead body will have the same reference sign, 2, throughout all drawings.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the distal end of a lead according to the invention. The lead itself is denoted 1 and is a standard lead with a tubular insulating silicon sleeve 2. The part 3 of the lead carrying the fixation means 4 is in the form of a truncated cone with straight sides, the cone tapering in the distal direction. The small end of the cone carries a tip electrode 5 intended for contact with the myocardium. The lead 1 preferably has a diameter that is equal to the diameter of the large end of the conical part 3. The fixation means 4 are in the shape of a circumferential thread located on the periphery of the conical part 3. The crest of the thread is located within the periphery of an imaginary second truncated cone 7 that is coaxial with the conical part 3 and within an imaginary cylinder 8 that is coaxial with the conical part 3 and that has a diameter being equal to the diameter of the large end of the conical part 3.

[0017] Other embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These embodiments differ from the embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the sides of the conical part 3 in FIG. 2 are slightly concave and in that the sides of the conical part 3 in FIG. 3 are slightly convex. The dimensions and shapes of the threads are however similar to the dimensions and threads in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The crest of the threads consequently will be located on the periphery of a second imaginary truncated cone with slightly concave envelope surfaces respectively slightly convex envelope surfaces.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the thread 4 is located on a tapering conical part 3 and the height of the thread is allowed to vary progressively along the entire length of the conical part towards the distal end thereof. The crest of the thread 4 is however still located on the envelope surface of a second, imaginary truncated cone although this cone has a smaller top angle than the conical end part of the distal end of the lead.

[0019] It should be noted that the height of the thread may vary along the length of the thread as long as the condition that the crest of the thread is within the imaginary second cone is fulfilled. Thus the crest for instance could be located on a sinus curve in which the highest points would be located on the imaginary cone and the intermediate, lower parts would be located within the imaginary cone.

[0020] The details of the above designs are illustrated by means of FIG. 5, which is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in FIG. 2. The conical part 3 thus is provided with fixation means in the form of a continuous external helical thread 4 projecting from the body of the conical part. The height of the thread initially increases from zero to a predetermined height h in such a way that the crest of the thread touches the inside of an cylinder forming an extension of the outside of the tubular sleeve and which has a diameter that is equal to the diameter of the large end. From the point where the thread has the height h, the height is constant for the remainder of the thread. In this way the crest of the thread in this part will be located on the inside of a truncated cone that is concentric with the conical part 3. The pitch of the thread is chosen to be relatively large, i.e. such that a relatively small rotation of the tip would result in a relatively large longitudinal movement of the tip when unscrewing the same. The thread is continuous along its entire length.

[0021] The tip electrode 5 comprises an interior bore 6. A helical interior conductor 7′ is inserted into a part of this bore and is thus electrically connected to the tip electrode 5. The bore 6 and the helical conductor 7′ thus define an inner lumen 8 in the electrode lead for insertion of a guiding stylet.

[0022] For a standard lead with a diameter of about 3 mm, a suitable length of the conical part might be about 3 mm. The conical part can be made of a biocompatible polymer that may contain substances counteracting local traumas in the tissue. The conical part might also for instance be made of titanium made integrally with the tip electrode, in which case the threaded part would be electrically insulated by means of an electrically insulating coating.

[0023] To give an idea of the dimensions involved, the thread could for instance have a pitch corresponding to about 1-2 threads/mm with a crest angle about 90° and a maximal height of about 0.2-0.3 mm.

[0024] The implantation of the lead may be performed by means of an interior stylet engaging a recess (e.g. the interior bore 6) in the electrode so as to allow the transfer of a torque to the lead tip. An example of such a stylet is described in the published international application WO 97/45158. A few turns of the lead and the lead tip will advance a few millimeters into the myocardium. In case the lead is to be anchored in the trabeculae, the rotation of the lead will advance the tip into the trabecular network without risking damage to the network due to the smooth edge of the thread. The number of turns necessary to secure the electrode would be approximately the same as the number of turns necessary to secure a normal, active, helical lead fixation means extending from the distal end of the lead of the type described in the published WO 97/45158.

[0025] When the lead has been implanted for some time, a recess that is complementary to the tip may be formed around the tip in the surrounding tissue. The recess will have an interior thread that is complementary to the thread on the tip. When the lead is to be explanted, it is preferable to use a stylet that can be locked in the lead, i.e. a stylet having the capability of transferring both torque and a pulling force to the electrode. A stylet of this kind that could be used is for instance disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,800. The stylet is inserted in the inner lumen of the lead and locked to the lead at the distal end thereof. Since the pitch of the thread is relatively large and the height of the thread is relatively small, the thread will go free from the complementary, interior threads formed in the recess in the tissue after a very slight rotation. The lead then easily can be pulled out from the tissue that has grown around the lead tip. Since no anchoring means are projecting from the sides of the lead tip past the periphery of the cylindrical lead body, the lead also easily can be pulled through narrow passages around the intermediate parts of the lead, for instance in the veins. 

1. Electrode lead (1) for an active implant, such as a pacemaker, the proximal end of said lead being connectable to said implant and the distal part of said lead being provided with electrodes (5) for contacting the tissue of a patient, the distal end of said lead further being provided with fixation means (4) for holding the distal part of the lead in place, characterized in that the distal part of said lead at least partly is provided with a distal end part (3) generally having a tapering shape, preferably the shape of a first truncated cone, said fixation means being located on said end part and forming a helical thread (4) around said end part (3), the height (h) of the thread being chosen such that the crest of said thread (4) is located within a second, imaginary cone (7) that is coaxial with said conical end part (3) and the crest of said thread (4) is located within an imaginary cylinder (8) that is coaxial with the conical end part (3) and which has the same diameter as the large end of said conical part (3), said cylinder intersecting said imaginary second cone (7).
 2. Electrode lead according to claim 1, characterized in that said conical end part (3) is provided with straight sides.
 3. Electrode lead according to claim 1, characterized in that said that said conical end part (3) is provided with concave sides.
 4. Electrode lead according to claim 1 characterized in that said that said conical end part (3) is provided with convex sides.
 5. Electrode lead according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (h) of the thread increases towards the distal end of the lead (1). 